Starting Life Well
Supporting the New Delivery Model for Early Years
across Greater Manchester
Free Entitlement Funding
Two, Three and Four Year
Olds
Salford City Council
Children’s Services
Conditions and local Guidelines
September 2013
Local Guidelines for Free Entitlement Funding
Purpose
Supporting the New Delivery Model for Early Years
The New Delivery Model is underpinned by a shared
outcomes framework to increase the number of children
‘ready for school’ by improving health and family
well-being; improving economic well-being;
improving parenting skills, aspirations and self-esteem.
The conditions applied to the funding arrangements for the Free Entitlement Funding for Early Education
and Childcare for two, three and four year olds is set out in the DfE Statutory Guidance for Local Authorities
September 2013.
Within the Statutory Guidance there are mandatory requirements that all Local Authorities and Early Years
Providers must comply with to ensure the day care supported by public funds is equitable and of a quality
standard.
As part of the New Delivery Model for Early Years, the ten Local Authorities within Greater Manchester
Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) have agreed to secure improvements in children’s
readiness to learn at school by:
•
•
•
•
Supporting progress for all children, closing the gap in performance by the age of five years
between the most disadvantaged and their peers.
Enabling tracking of progress leading to intervention to promote learning and development.
Increasing parental engagement - recognising that parental influence is the greatest determining
factor on the life chances of vulnerable children.
Supporting improved quality of early years and childcare provision.
You can find out more about AGMA by visiting their website http://www.agma.gov.uk.
Salford Starting Life Well Two, Three and Four Year Old Funding
September 2013
2
The providers of early education and childcare have a lead role in improving outcomes for children and
families within the New Delivery Model by:
The AGMA Core Principles embedded within the Starting Life Well Local Guidelines for the
Free Entitlement Funding will support the following objectives:




Proactively engaging with parents to support children’s learning and development in the setting and
the home learning environment.
Actively engaging with the local authority (or agency) responsible for the free early entitlement
funding so it is flexible, free and best meeting parents’ needs.
Demonstrating commitment to continuous quality improvement and workforce development.
Supporting early intervention for vulnerable children and their families by completing relevant
assessments,
including
the
Common
Assessment
Framework.
(http://www.education.gov.uk/childrenandyoungpeople/strategy/integratedworking/caf)

Tracking progress of all children and sharing progress data with the local authority.

Working in partnership with local children’s centre services and contributing to developmental
assessments (for example, the Ages and Stages Questionnaire, two year old check).

Supporting successful transition to school by working collaboratively with schools, children’s centres
and appropriate partners.



Supporting and signposting parents to services providing family support, training and employment
opportunities.
Obtaining necessary consents from parents on enrolment to share information with the local
authority, children’s centres and appropriate partners.
Supporting parents to register with the local children’s centre.
We would ask that all Early Years settings in receipt of the Free Entitlement Funding for Two, Three
and Four Year Olds support these common principles of good practice, working in collaboration
with Salford City Council to offer a high quality provision.
Salford Starting Life Well Two, Three and Four Year Old Funding
September 2013
3
1. INTRODUCTION
The free entitlement for two, three and four year old children is at the heart of the Governments vision for all
children to have access to high quality early years provision that helps them reach their full potential.
Access to Early Learning for two, three and four year olds is important for both children and parents to
promote every child’s outcomes and prepare children socially and emotionally for the transition to school
but also to enable parents to return to work or training with a view to reducing worklessness and child
poverty in Salford.
1.1
Under the Government’s Childcare Act 2006 all three and four year olds are entitled to three terms
of free part time early year’s education from the term following their third birthday.
1.2
From September 2013 Local Authorities have a duty to secure early education offering three terms
of free part time early year’s education for targeted 2 year olds, the term after their second birthday.
2.
Eligibility
All children who meet the prescribed criteria are able to take up high quality early education, regardless of
their parents’ ability to pay – benefiting their social, physical and mental development and helping to
prepare them for school.
Three and Four Year Olds
Children are eligible for a three and four year old funded place from the term after the child’s third
birthday. Funding is available until the child reaches statutory school age, which is the term after
their fifth birthday.
2.1
The relevant dates are as follows:
A child born on or between
Will become eligible for a free place
1st April and 31st August
1st September following their 3rd birthday
1st September and 31st December
1st January following their 3rd birthday
1st January and 31st March
1st April following their 3rd birthday
Two Year Olds
2.2 A child is eligible if:


They are looked after by the local authority
or
They come within the criteria used to determine eligibility for Free Schools Meals*
2.3 Children are eligible for a two year old funded place from the term after the child’s second
birthday (subject to meeting eligibility criteria and approval)
Find out more abut Salford’s Essential Criteria to claim two year old funding
www.salford.gov.uk/essentialcriteria.htm
Salford Starting Life Well Two, Three and Four Year Old Funding
September 2013
4
The relevant dates are as follows:
A child born on or between
Will become eligible for a free place
1st April and 31st August
1st September following their 2nd birthday
1st September and 31st December
1st January following their 2nd birthday
1st January and 31st March
1st April following their 2nd birthday
The terms for the Free Early Years Entitlement Funding are as follows:
Spring
Summer
Autumn
1st January to 31st March
1st April to 31st August
1st September to 31st December
3.
CLAIMING THE FREE ENTITLEMENT
3.1
The Early Years Provider will be entitled to receive payment up to a maximum of 15 hours per week,
for each child eligible receiving their Free Early Years entitlement, for a maximum of 38 weeks per
year or 570 hours per annum.
3.2
The entitlement may be “stretched”, at the provider’s discretion, over a greater number of weeks (51
weeks) but this will carry a reduced weekly allowance of up to 11 hours which shall not exceed 570
hours per annum. This must be agreed with the parent in advance and clearly shown on the
individual parent declaration form and termly headcount. Note the Provider will be responsible for
the calculation.
3.3
A Parental Declaration Form should be completed for every child for whom funding is claimed which
sets out the hours and patterns of access that the parent and provider have agreed to. The Parental
Declaration Form will include consent from parents to share their child’s learning and development
with relevant professionals and confirms patterns of attendance. It is considered good practice to
collect the national insurance number of the parent(s) at this time to support the delivery of the Early
Year Pupil Premium.
www.salford.gov.uk/twoyearoldfunding.htm
3.4
The Statutory Guidance for Local Authorities on Early Education and Childcare for Two, Three and
Four Year Olds (September 2013) clearly states that the entitlement must be free at the point of
delivery. This means that parents accessing only their 15 hours cannot be charged memberships
or registration fees or “top up” fees to access their entitlement.
Parents must not be charged for any part of the free entitlement. It must be provided completely
free at the point of delivery with no conditions.
3.5
Providers are required to verify that for those children included on the headcount, their date of birth
is correct and that they have seen evidence of this by checking the child’s birth certificate, passport
Salford Starting Life Well Two, Three and Four Year Old Funding
September 2013
5
or red book. This is to prevent the Free Entitlement Funding being paid for children who are
not of eligible age.
3.6
Providers are asked to verify whether the child does or does not attend provision elsewhere. This is
to ensure that children are not ‘double counted’ in the headcount. Where the child is attending other
provision, providers must also indicate this on the headcount.
3.7
The Starting Life Well Service will seek to maximise take up of the two year old funding and the Free
Entitlement by Looked-After-Children and children at risk of becoming looked-after. They also have
responsibility to identify and reach out to particularly disadvantaged and hard to reach groups within
the local community with a view to maximising take-up and improving outcomes.
3.8
A timetable detailing payment dates and final headcount deadlines will be issued on an annual
basis.
3.9
An annual indicative budget will be issued for three and four year old funding advising the hourly
rates. The Early Years Single Funding Formula rates will be recalculated at the beginning of every
term to recognise Ofsted inspections and grading which will be taken from the published Ofsted
report or independent regulator for independent schools and level of engagement with the Quality
Improvement Framework (QIF).
The Deprivation supplement will be calculated on an annual basis at the beginning of the financial
year.
The Quality Supplement will be reviewed on a termly basis based on your Ofsted inspection
outcome and commitment to quality improvement. The Ofsted inspection grade will be taken from
the published Ofsted report.
3.10
During the transition period when children move from a Private, Voluntary or Independent setting to
a maintained nursery school a three week transition will be funded.
4.
FREE EARLY YEARS ENTITLEMENT REQUIREMENTS
4.1
Flexibility Requirements
Children are able to take up their full entitlement to early education at times that best support their learning
and at times that fit with the needs of the parent.
a)
The provider agrees to provide places for up to 15 hours each week according to the DfE definition
of Free Flexible Entitlement.

As a Minimum:

Maximum Session: No session longer than 10 hours

Minimum Session: No session shorter than 2.5 hours

Operating Times:
3 hours per day over 5 days per week
5 hours per day over 3 days of the week.
Not before 7:00am or after 7:00pm
b)
Local authorities must not condense the funded early education entitlement into less than 38
weeks.
c)
Providers are encouraged to offer early education patterns of hours that stretch a child’s entitlement
by taking fewer hours a week over more weeks of the year. (There is no requirement for all early
education places to be delivered only over 38 weeks of the year).
Salford Starting Life Well Two, Three and Four Year Old Funding
September 2013
6
4.2
Quality Requirements
All children are able to take up their entitlement to funded early education in high quality settings.
To secure quality, Salford City Council will;
a)
Fund providers who deliver the full Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and are either registered
with Ofsted as an early years provider, or are schools taking children age three and over and
therefore exempt from registration with Ofsted as early years providers.
b)
Fund places for two, three and four year old children with providers who are rated as ‘Good’ or
‘Outstanding’ with Ofsted. Providers must ensure:





c)
Fund places for 3 and 4 year old children who are rated Satisfactory or Requires Improvement with
Ofsted. Providers must ensure:




d)
Funded places are entirely free of charge to parents
Places are offered flexibly to meet the needs of parents
The proper use of public funds
Providers meet the needs of disabled children or those with special educational need
Providers are keeping children safe
They work with the Starting Life Well team to immediately address any recommendations
and actions detailed within the Ofsted report.
They provide a detailed action plan for improvement which demonstrates how the provider
will work towards and maintain improvement.
They attend training and engage in peer to peer support which improves knowledge and
understanding to contribute to improvement.
They use the Starting Life Well Quality Improvement Framework (QIF) as a tool for
improvement.
Only fund places for two year old children in a ‘Satisfactory or Requires Improvement’ childcare
setting where there is not sufficient accessible ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ provision. Providers must
therefore ensure:




They work with the Starting Life Well team to immediately address any recommendations
and actions detailed within the Ofsted report.
They provide a detailed action plan for improvement which demonstrates how the provider
will work towards and maintain improvement.
They attend training and engage in peer to peer support which improves knowledge and
understanding to contribute to improvement.
They use the Starting Life Well Quality Improvement Framework (QIF) as a tool for
improvement.
Providers who are graded Satisfactory or Requires Improvement will not be promoted on the
Council’s childcare internet search for two year old funding.
e)
Fund new providers registered with Ofsted until their first full Ofsted inspection judgement is
published.
f)
Secure alternative provision and withdraw funding, as soon as is practicable, for children who are
already receiving their funded entitlement at a provider when it is rated ‘Inadequate’ by Ofsted.
g)
Providers must train all staff to understand their safeguarding policy and procedures, and to ensure
that all staff have up to date knowledge of safeguarding issues. Training must enable staff to identify
Salford Starting Life Well Two, Three and Four Year Old Funding
September 2013
7
signs of possible abuse and neglect at the earliest opportunity, and respond in a timely and
appropriate manner.
h)
Designated named Safeguarding Leads/Managers must attend both Child Protection training and
Safeguarding for Managers and may wish to access further Safeguarding training through Salford
Safeguarding Children’s Board (SSCB).
www.education.gov.uk/aboutdfe/statutory/g00213170/special-educational-needs-code-of-practice
i)
Providers must have regard to the Special Educational Needs Code of Practice and ensure that
they meet the needs of children with special educational needs (SEN) and disabilities.
j)
Inadequate grades will result in the temporary suspension of a setting from the Starting Life Well
service website and childcare search facility until re-inspection and a minimum grade of Requires
Improvement is achieved and this may affect future funding.
4.3
Information for Parents
Parents are provided with comprehensive information about their child’s entitlement
a. Ensure that the entitlement is free at the point of delivery. The DfE guidance states that the
entitlement must be free at the point of delivery. Invoices for additional hours should clearly show
the
reduction
in
hours
for
the
free
entitlement
for
the
billing
period.
http://education.gov.uk/aboutdfe/statutory/g00209650/code-of-practice-for-las
b. Provide parents/carers with clear information on any legitimate additional charges (e.g. lunches)
that are applicable. Should a parent wish to purchase additional hours for their child (Salford City
Council/Starting Life Well service shall in no way be responsible for the payment of any additional
hours), these shall be an additional cost to the parent.
c. Have a clear complaints procedure for dealing with parents complaints in relation to delivery of the
Free Entitlement and to publicise this.
d. Providers should signpost families to the Starting Life Well Service where they cannot offer the
entitlement that meets families’ needs.
e. Providers engage with families to support their individual needs and signpost to other services to
support the identified needs. Parental consent must be sought to enable referrals to be made.
4.4
Working in Partnership
Provide sufficient details of your provision to the Starting Life Well Service that can be passed onto parents
and carers making enquiries about available provision.
a)
The provider will ensure that the provision of information to the Starting Life Well Service to enable
Salford City Council to meet its obligations shall include:




b)
Sufficient details of provision
Two Year Old Funding Confirmation of Attendance
Three and Four Year Old Headcount Information
Parent declaration forms (on request)
Providers are asked to participate in any relevant surveys, questionnaires, to facilitate the planning
of the Starting Life Well service and childcare in the city.
Salford Starting Life Well Two, Three and Four Year Old Funding
September 2013
8
c)
Providers must complete the Early Years Census form, which is required by the Department for
Education in January each year and must return the completed form to the Starting Life Well
service.
Providers signpost families to the Starting Life Well Service where they cannot offer childcare that
meets families’ needs.
Providers must use the Early Years Portal as part of the delivery of funded places.
d)
e)
EMAIL - Any information containing children’s details must be returned securely using PGP Secure
Email – instructions on its use will be sent out to you.
4.5
Finance, Recording and Auditing Requirements
The provider will ensure that the information, records and documentation necessary to effectively monitor
the performance of the agreement are accurately maintained at all times. The provider will grant Starting
Life Well service ‘authorised officer(s)’ access to the relevant information
a)
Comply with legislation including the auditing and submission of accounts, the passing of
information to the Charities Commission (where appropriate) and the regular submission of
information to bodies such as Companies House.
b)
Keep financial accounts of the receipt and use of the Free Entitlement Funding and agree to be
inspected by Starting Life Well officers to ensure the Free Entitlement Funding is being used
correctly and delivered in the correct way. Providers must allow access to all accounts, documents
and other materials appertaining to the funding and provide such assistance with their interpretation
as shall be required. Starting Life Well Service will provide reasonable notice of any such
inspections. Providers should have business plans in place to plan for a sustainable business and
use the services provided by the Starting Life Well service including the offer of an annual business
review and health check.
c)
Record the presence or absence at each session of each child for whom funding has been claimed.
Providers must notify the Starting Life Well Service if a child is absent for more than two weeks.
d)
The provider must verify the child’s identity through sight of a birth certificate, passport or medical
card and verify legal name and date of birth.
e)
Providers must be aware of the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998 and follow their duty
to keep personal data secure and confidential.
f)
Financial information regarding each child for whom funding has been paid, must be kept by the
provider for in accordance with the HMRC recommendations for financial record-keeping as a
general rule a minimum of 6 years is recommended.
www.hmrc.gov.uk/record-keeping/index.htm
g)
Parents/carers agree to specific funding arrangements by signing a Free Entitlement Parental
Declaration Form and commit to this for the duration of the term. This should minimise movement
from setting to setting. A three week settling-in period should be given and providers should then
make parents aware that movement will only be permitted under exceptional circumstances, for
example:





If the family leave the area
Where there is a change to the child’s main carer
Due to child protection, domestic violence
Due to changes in the parents employment
Safeguarding
For further information or to discuss other circumstances please contact the Starting Life Well Service.
Salford Starting Life Well Two, Three and Four Year Old Funding
September 2013
9
If a parent moves provider without prior consent from the Starting Life Well service, the Free
Entitlement Funding will not be available until the following term and the new provider will receive
no funding.
It is essential that providers inform Starting Life Well Service if a two year old funded child fails to attend
for more than 3 consecutive weeks without an explanation.
It is also essential that providers inform Starting Life Well Service if a two year old funded child stops
attending the setting.
An online form is available for you to use to notify us of the above. The form is available at
www.0-19insalford.info
A notice period of two weeks will be paid for a two year old funded child from the last attendance.
5. Early Years Single Funding Formula (EYSFF)
The following EYSFF for three and four year old funding will come into effect from APRIL 2013
Type of Setting
Base Rate
Maintained Nursery Class
£3.38
Day Nursery/Independent Schools
£3.21
Pre-School/Playgroup
£3.20
Childminder
£3.00
Children’s Centres
£3.26
Supplement
Deprivation
Calculated using the average IDACI score
for all children attending each setting
Quality
Quality
Graduate lead
OFSTED grade good
outstanding
OR
Commitment to complete
QIF in 12 months
Amount per pupil per
hour (2012/13)
£0.05
0% - 20%
20% - 25%
£0.00
£0.00
£0.10
25% - 30%
30% - 40%
40% - 50%
50% - 60%
60% - 100%
£0.10
£0.12
£0.16
£0.19
£0.22
or
The Early Years Single Funding Formula rates will be recalculated at the beginning of every term to
determine the hourly rate for that term.
Salford Starting Life Well Two, Three and Four Year Old Funding
September 2013
10
The Deprivation supplement will be calculated on an annual basis at the beginning of the financial year.
The Quality Supplement will be reviewed on a termly basis based on your Ofsted inspection outcome and
commitment to quality improvement. The Ofsted inspection grade will be taken from the published Ofsted
report.
2 year old funding is set at a flat rate for all £4.85 per hour
settings of
Please note changes to this document may occur as new legislation comes into force.
Salford Starting Life Well Two, Three and Four Year Old Funding
September 2013
11